Pope Francis names Archbishop from NZ among new Cardinals

Pope Francis names Archbishop from New Zealand among new Cardinals

Announcing a list of bishops to be made Cardinals in February Pope Francis named Archbishop John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, overnight from Rome.

On hearing the news of the announcement, Archbishop John Dew said "This news is recognition of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the contribution it makes to the global Catholic family.

"I'm delighted to hear that Bishop Soane Mafi of Tonga has also been named in the list, together it is not only great news for New Zealand and Tonga but for the Oceania region.

"Although we are geographically far from much of the world, Pope Francis has gone to the periphery of the world to name new Cardinals.

"I'm honoured and humbled to be given this new task in my priestly vocation and in representing the people of Aotearoa New Zealand and the region in the global Church.

Archbishop John Dew is President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

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